Colorado Newby

[JustEffort]

All,

I’ll try to keep this short. I’m a WA resident that has finally got his career and young family in a position where I feel financially comfortable to go out of state on some huntsI’ve chosen this year to start with Colorado pending the upcoming draws. I’ve only ever hunted my home state of WA. I have a job that is pretty flexible within reason. There are certain weeks in the fall I absolutely cannot be gone from work and some weeks they encourage us to get out and use vacation while nothings going on. Because I prioritize October for the WA general rifle season, Colorado’s 3rd season rifle dates make the most sense. Idaho dates coincide with WA season too much for the upcoming year otherwise I would have put in the Idaho draw this year. I just picked up a bow for Xmas and plan to hunt Idaho archery in coming years.

The battle I’m having has to do with whether I should try to hunt CO this year or not. I’m having a tough time with these options, just build a pt this year in CO (I have 0pts currently) and try to hunt in a year or two for a better unit, head to a 0pt CO unit this year, or build a point this year and try to pickup a leftover unit or something in the secondary draw. If it weren’t for the 2028 upcoming changes I would almost certainly just head to one of the leftover units and try to build a pt. But I don’t know that heading into 2028 having 1-2 pts is going to be any better than having 0. Anyone else in this same boat?. I’m 26, been hunting Muleys in WA since 14 years old, so not a newby but not quite old and wise either so I came here for advice.

Im not looking to kill the biggest buck of my life out of state. I hope to do that here in WA, I know im crazy but I love the challenge of the rugged cascades here and prioritize killing a trophy buck here just with the time I spend scouting and hunting my home state. I’m looking at these out of state hunts as a chance to go on a fun adventure, see different parts of the country, and hopefully return with life long memories. A 140-160” 4pt buck would be a cherry on top. I don’t have plans of ever hunting any CO units that are worth more then 4-5pts.

Appreciate any insight, been going back and forth with myself on what I should do for a couple weeks now.

 

[Scottf270]

Most will tell you that hunting beats points gathering. Hunting is not always better in higher point units. Good deer are killed in every unit in Colorado every year. If you have a points plan go for it. If not, get a tag and go hunt.

 

[Pistolpete28]

You sound a lot like me when I was 26(currently 35). It sounds like you have the itch, pick a unit and go is my advice. Colorado is very weather dependent, so I’d just pick a unit with some terrain I like to hunt. The higher point units, don’t always equate to bigger bucks or better hunting.

 

[roadhntr]

I wished people would stop freaking out or worrying about the 2028 changes. It's mainly because most people don't understand how to make the new system work in your favor. To answer the 0P's question. Yes, having a couple points after 2028 will be a whole lot better than zero points.

 

[Mudslinger]

If you wanted to get a couple of points, you could always look for a reasonable landowner tag also.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Pick a unit with lots of public in the terrain/ habitat that you want to hunt. Be aware some 0 point/ leftover units are that for a reason… but nothing like experiencing something to get the hang of it. Good luck to you.

 

[270Hunter]

I’m not trying to deter you from going to Colorado but have you ever considered other states. Anyway you cut it you’ll have to drive through Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah or Wyoming to get to Colorado. Generally a combination of a few of these.

There’s a lot of good deer hunting in those states and in the grand scheme of things if you can be to a hunting location in 6 hours of driving instead of 12+ hours, more of your PTO time will go to actual hunting instead of driving. Just an idea!

 

[wildwilderness]

You need way more experience. Only way for that is to go.


Like mentioned though the closer the better imo unless you have a connection (friend, family, private access etc) I also understand the season dates but there are many options for November deer like whitetails and blacktails especially if you get into archery (opens August for Mule deer too)

 

[Pistolpete28]

I’m not trying to deter you from going to Colorado but have you ever considered other states. Anyway you cut it you’ll have to drive through Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah or Wyoming to get to Colorado. Generally a combination of a few of these.

There’s a lot of good deer hunting in those states and in the grand scheme of things if you can be to a hunting location in 6 hours of driving instead of 12+ hours, more of your PTO time will go to actual hunting instead of driving. Just an idea!

Good points here, being a Washington resident aswell I’ve started to hunt closer to home these last few years. I used to hunt Colorado every year